88 T.J. Hockenson TE

Hockenson caught eight of 10 targets for 97 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 41-33 loss to San Francisco. He also caught a two-point conversion.

As expected, Hockenson and D'Andre Swift (11 targets) were the Lions' top options in the passing game as Jared Goff struggled to attack the 49ers' questionable group of cornerbacks. While it should be noted that Detroit was down 38-10 halfway through the third quarter -- which played a large role in Goff attempting a hefty 57 passes, and, in turn, Hockenson seeing double-digit targets -- the Lions defense may be bad enough to regularly force Goff to throw at will. Hockenson should be one of the top fantasy options at tight end when Detroit travels to Green Bay in Week 2.

Hockenson (shoulder) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

Hockenson suffered an AC joint sprain Aug. 10 and missed the entire preseason, but his availability for Week 1 was never in serious doubt. He's one of the few tight ends with a decent shot to lead his team in targets, albeit in what likely will be a bottom-10 offense. Hockenson and the Lions start off with a tricky matchup, hosting a 49ers defense that has defensive ends Nick Bosa and Dee Ford coming off the edge and linebacker Fred Warner covering the middle of the field.

Coach Dan Campbell revealed Tuesday that Hockenson is dealing with a AC joint issue in his shoulder, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

Hockenson has been dealing with the injury for the past couple weeks, though the nature of the issue was previously undisclosed. The 24-year-old is participating at practice this week, and there isn't much concern about him being ready for the Sept. 12 season opener against the 49ers.

Hockenson (undisclosed) participated in Monday's practice and said afterward that he doesn't feel like he needs any snaps in Friday's preseason finale against the Colts to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

While the Lions only held a light practice Monday, Hockenson reportedly was impressive while catching passes in 1-on-1 drills. Granted, he was wearing a red non-contact jersey, but that arrangement only seemed like a precaution. Barring a setback, Hockenson seems well on track to be ready for the regular-season opener.

Hockenson (undisclosed) won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh but should ramp up his practice involvement next week, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Hockenson left practice early Aug. 10 and missed the Lions' preseason opener last Friday. It sounds like he'll have time to get ready for the season opener, with perhaps some chance for an appearance in the third and final preseason game Aug. 27 against Indianapolis. Given the unimpressive state of Detroit's wideout room, Hockenson remains the favorite to lead the team in Week 1 targets.

Hockenson (undisclosed) didn't suit up for Friday's preseason opener against the Bills.

With Hockenson out, new Lions quarterback Jared Goff primarily targeted Tyrell Williams, who finished with two catches for 30 yards on four targets. Once healthy, Hockenson's likely to become Goff's top option in the passing game. The tight end, whom Detroit selected in the first round of the 2019 draft, will look to get healthy prior to Week 2 of preseason, when the Lions will travel to Pittsburgh.

Hockenson got banged up during Tuesday's practice and exited early with an undisclosed injury, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

Head coach Dan Campbell used the words "minor" and "precautionary" when discussing Hockenson, who subsequently missed practice Wednesday, per Chris Burke of The Athletic. Even if his injury isn't serious, the tight end isn't likely to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Bills. Hockenson's absence would leave Darren Fells as Detroit's top tight end, followed on the depth chart by a slew of young players with minimal pro experience.

Hockenson is "poised for even more" this season, according to Benjamin Raven of MLive.com.

Despite having major ankle surgery at the end of his rookie season, Hockenson bounced back in Year 2 to start 16 games, handling a 73.2 percent snap share and 101 targets. The eighth overall pick from the 2019 Draft could now see even more work in his third NFL season, after the Lions traded QB Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff and then lost WRs Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones in free agency. Touchdowns may be hard to come by on a rebuilding team, but Hockenson is one of the few tight ends in the league who is considered the favorite to lead his team in targets. The volume alone should make him a fantasy asset, and there's plenty of upside if he takes another step forward while Goff turns in a competent season.

Hockenson caught three of three targets for 25 yards during Sunday's 37-35 loss to Minnesota.

Hockenson's numbers are a little disappointing given the mouthwatering matchup, but he still tied for third on the team in targets on a day during which Marvin Jones stole the show with eight catches for 180 yards and two scores on 11 looks. Hockenson will now turn the page on a highly successful sophomore campaign that saw the 2019 first-round pick grab 67 receptions for 723 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games after recording 32 catches for 367 yards and two scores in 12 games as a rookie. While Hockenson has yet to flash the upside that makes Travis Kelce and George Kittle such valuable fantasy assets at the tight end position, the sky is the limit for the 23-year-old who will be going to his first Pro Bowl this winter.

Hockenson caught four of six targets for 23 yards in Saturday's 47-7 loss to the Buccaneers.

Matthew Stafford hurt his ankle on Detroit's first drive, and the combination of Chase Daniel and David Blough guided the offense to zero points, leading to underwhelming performances from all of the team's skill position players. This was the fifth-lowest yardage total of Hockenson's breakout sophomore season, and the tight end has been held to fewer than 25 yards in consecutive games heading into next week's season finale against Minnesota.

Hockenson caught two of four targets for 18 yards and carried once for no yards with one fumble during Sunday's 46-25 loss to Tennessee.

After seeing 20 total targets in his first two games with Darrell Bevell as interim head coach, Hockenson was keyed on by a Titans secondary that entered the game allowing the fourth-highest completion rate (76.8 percent) and eighth-most yards per target (8.3) to tight ends in 2020. D'Andre Swift's involvement near the goal line also played a role in Hockenson's disappointing turnout, and Hockenson also fumbled on an end-around on a critical third-and-one during a potential game-tying drive in the fourth quarter. While Hockenson seemingly has a solid chance to rebound in Week 16 against a Buccaneers team allowing a league-high 79.7 percent completion rate to tight ends, fantasy managers should keep in mind the possibility for Detroit, with nothing to play for at this point, to rest quarterback Matthew Stafford for the team's final two games of the regular season.

Hockenson caught six of 11 targets for 43 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 31-24 loss to Green Bay.

With Kenny Golladay (hip) still out and Detroit playing from behind most of the day, Hockenson was busy and saw a new season high in targets. The Packers didn't let him do much with those opportunities though, and Hockenson's touchdown came on a designed shovel pass from one yard out. While the potential absence of Matthew Stafford (ribs) in Week 15 is not good news for the young tight end, a downgrade in quarterback play isn't the end of the world for a top-shelf talent like Hockenson against a Titans defense that has given up the fourth-most yards per target to tight ends (8.1) in 2020.

Hockenson caught seven of his nine targets for 84 yards during Sunday's 34-30 win against the Bears.

Hockenson was a vital contributor in crunch time, recording three receptions for 33 yards (on five targets) during the fourth quarter. This isn't the first occasion this season the second-year tight end has delivered in the clutch, as he also recorded a game-tying touchdown Week 7 against the Falcons as time expired in regulation. He's posted 241 receiving yards on 16 receptions over his past three games heading into a matchup with the Packers in Week 14. Though it ultimately came in a losing effort, Eagles tight ends posted seven catches for 97 yards against Green Bay on Sunday.

Hockenson caught five of eight targets for 89 yards in Thursday's 41-25 loss to the Texans.

While Marvin Jones caught one more ball, it was Hockenson who led Detroit in receiving yards on the afternoon. The second-year tight end has caught multiple passes in every game so far this season, and he should remain one of Matthew Stafford's main options in Week 13's road contest against the Bears.

Hockenson (shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation into Thursday's game against the Texans, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Hockenson began the week with two straight limited practices, but he managed to upgrade to a full session Wednesday. The top tight will have the benefit of Matthew Stafford (thumb) under center Thursday, and with Kenny Golladay (hip) and Danny Amendola (hip) both ruled out, Hockenson could draw increased target volume this week.

Hockenson (shoulder) was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

A second straight limited session to start the week signals that Hockenson should be good to go for Thursday's game against the Texans. The 23-year-old tight end posted a season-high 68 receiving yards last week against the Panthers, and he could garner a similar amount of opportunities if Kenny Golladay (hip) sits out again.

Hockenson was listed as a limited participant with a shoulder injury on Monday's practice estimation, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

The 23-year-old entered Sunday's loss to Carolina with a toe injury, and he apparently picked up the shoulder issue while catching four of seven targets for a season-high 68 yards. Hockenson appears on track to be available for the Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Texans, and he could avoid an injury designation if he can put in a full practice in the next two days.

Hockenson caught four of seven targets for 68 yards during Sunday's 20-0 loss to the Panthers.

On a day the Detroit offense generally struggled without each of Kenny Golladay (hip), Danny Amendola (hip) and D'Andre Swift (concussion), Hockenson managed to set a new season high in receiving yardage. Now with at least a touchdown or 60 yards receiving in eight of 10 games this season, Hockenson has been a model of consistency at an otherwise weak fantasy position. While he's yet to display the upside he showed in the 2019 season opener when the then-rookie had 131 yards and a score against Arizona, Hockenson is set up for one of his best matchups of the season in Week 12 against a Texans defense allowing the sixth-most yards per pass attempt (7.8) in 2020.

Hockenson (toe) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Carolina, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Hockenson has been listed with a toe injury for almost a month now, but he's still handled at least four targets and 60 percent of offensive snaps in every game this season. He figures to be a big part of the Week 11 gameplan, with Kenny Golladay (hip), Danny Amendola (hip) and D'Andre Swift (concussion) all ruled out.

Hockenson (toe) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Hockenson's reps were capped for the second day in a row, but the Lions don't seem to have any real concern that he'll miss Sunday's game against the Panthers. If Hockenson can upgrade to full activity Friday, he'll likely avoid taking an injury designation into the weekend.